About The Lake
Situated on the Western Highway, just 4 km east of the picturesque Victorian township of Ararat, Green Hill Lake has plenty on offer for locals, campers and travellers alike. There is drinking water available, fireplaces, barbeques, picnic tables, chairs, playground and exercise machine, pontoon, boat ramps and even hot showers to keep you feeling refreshed during your stay. The campground has no designated camping spots, camp where you like, so no need to book, camping is free however there is a suggestions and donation box*.
The lake is well-stocked with trout for those looking to catch a feed of fish for dinner, be it from the jetty, a boat or the shoreline and there are walking tracks where dogs can be unleashed while you relax and take in the lake's natural beauty. A concrete walking or cycling path runs all the way to Ararat.
The lake has two green lawn picnic area with table and chair sets and solid fuel BBQs, wood can be purchased from the rangers at $12 a bag otherwise you are more than welcome to bring your own wood or gas fired BBQ. The area features a covered Picnic Pavilion which proves ideal in inclement weather, although please note camping and vehicles are not permitted inside the lawn area.
How To Get There
Getting to Lake Greenhill couldn't be easier. From the club rooms it's about two and a half hours, jump on the M80 Ring road then the M8 heading towards Ballarat, go past Ballarat onto the A8 and look for the signs to Ararat. Lake Greenhill is 4km before you reach Ararat.
The lake entrance is across from the race course, simply pull in and look for the club sign.
The Fishing
Greenhill was one of many lakes to benefit from the Victorian governmentís Target One Million stocking strategy. 6000 Trout have been stocked into the lake since Oct 2016. Many of these fish are now an impressive size.
Greenhill may not be the clearest lake you'll ever fish, the northern end closer to the prison has areas of vegetation that is well worth exploring if you're in a boat or take one of the clubs float tubes for a spin. Down the southern end there are heaps of opportunities for the shore based angler, edges and drop offs always offer the chance of taking a good fish, particularly if you prepared to rise early or fish on past dark and target cruising fish.
Due to the colouration of the water in Greenhills, it's probably best to stick to the old adage, dark water dark flies. Black or brown woolly buggers, red and black matooka, darker BMS style flies and of course stick caddis and darker nymphs will work here. Greenhills is not a deep water storage so floating or an intermediate lines in the 6 to 8 weight range are all you'll need.
